Panasonic intros finance programme

Panasonic Factory Solutions Company of America has introduced a new financing programme for customers purchasing Panasonic's manufacturing solutions for robotic arc welding as well as electronics assembly, says Global SMT & Packaging.

The programme from Panasonic Finance Solutions helps customers cover equipment and other soft costs though an array of finance solutions and customised lease plans. Through this offering, customers can acquire equipment sooner to start producing on it and generating revenue.

Tom Gebhardt, Panasonic Factory Solutions president, commented: “We aim to maximise productivity and improve profitability for our customers through our various manufacturing solutions.”

Japanese news outlet Nikkei is reporting that Nintendo has begun to scale back the number of Wii consoles being assembled, states Nintendo World Report.

This news is apparently based on heavy losses reported by Mitsumi and Hosiden, two Japanese companies involved in Wii manufacturing. Both of them are facing a 50% drop in net profit, a shortfall blamed on the console's "declining fortunes" and a decrease in orders for more systems from Nintendo.

In early November, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata characterised the slowing of Wii sales in Japan as "not healthy". A lowering of manufacturing orders would seem to be a logical result of slowing sales, though North American sales of the Wii console remain robust.

Computer maker Dell will transfer its manufacturing plant in Lodz, Poland, to Foxconn Technology Group for undisclosed terms, according to the Associated Press.

Dell said it will be able to operate more efficiently by outsourcing the production of desktop and notebook computers, servers and storage systems to Taiwan-based Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer.

Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, said its employees at the plant will continue in their roles when Foxconn takes over.